From modified four-door C63 to extreme SLR McLaren, a list inspired by the factory-tuned models birthed in GroBaspach, Germany

What Shelby is to the Ford Mustang, AMG is to Mercedes-Benz. And while the German automaker has a
long history of auto racing, the factory-backed AMG tuner was established less than 50 years ago. The
AMG insignia signifies the last names of the two founders, Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher,
paired with the German community where it all began: GroBaspach.

Founded on the simple premise of improving the performance of existing Mercedes' models, AMG has
become the premier moniker for the range of coupes, sedans, SUVs and extreme supercars produced by the brand. The inspiration that led Aufrecht and Melcher has driven other tuners to further improve upon the power, luxury and function of AMG models. Modification breeds more modification and that is seen within this latest list feature.

Based on web-popularity, we created a top 10 of favorite Mercedes-Benz AMG builds with one wild card
rounding off the list. Let us know if we have missed any below in the comments section.

Article excerpt: "The numbers don't mean much on paper, but in action they're enough to launch the
Benz to 60mph in 2.8sec, with an absurd sprint from 60-130mph in 5.98sec...Before forcing nitrous down its throat, the C63 made 530whp and 505 lb-ft on pump gas...With a 200-shot installed, the crimson
sedan put down a solid 700whp and a massive 730 lb-ft."

Why we love it: "The builder set out to create a unique car that would shatter world records, take his
wife to dinner and continually evolve. This C63 is simultaneously bat-shit crazy, stunningly beautiful and
fast as hell."

Article excerpt: "On the road, the SLS 750 AMG is transformed, the supercharger's seamless delivery
boosting the feel of bottom end strength...The Weistec CMDP system, which is the subject of a Weistec
patent, neatly achieves a change in supercharger gearing, and hence boost pressure, through a change
of its cog pulleys."

Why we love it: "When you add more power to an already impressive package you get 571hp packed
under the long bonnet of the SLS AMG, if you say that's not enough, most people would look at you as if
you were crazy."

Article excerpt: "It took just one brief test drive after the engine upgrade to come to the conclusion that
the Mercedes was in need of two things: wider rear tires and bigger brakes...As good as the sound
system may be, the angry bellow from the long-tube MBH stainless headers, ACG link pipe and
Akrapovic exhaust sounds even better."

Why we love it: "ACG's C63 gets high marks for execution, and we've yet to drive another C63 with such
devastating acceleration or composure in the corners."

Article excerpt: "This is the car that Kourosh Mansory built, an SLS that has been dragged kicking and
screaming through the looking glass into an alternate, evil world...The Mansory Cormeum is a 660hp
monster, and although it's named after an operatic score, it looks like the Batmobile after a week-long
meth bender."

Why we love it: "The SLS is a pure wonder to look at, too, part GT racer, part Batmobile, it has a nose
that somehow manages to blend the SLS, SLR and even Ferrari Enzo. It will break the 62mph mark in
3.5sec and top out at 205mph or more."

Article excerpt: "Using 7.5 psi of boost, it delivers a staggering 549whp at 6000rpm and 543 lb-ft of
torque to the wheels at 4400rpm. That's up from 421 and 402, respectively, without the supercharger
but utilizing the Evosport headers and exhaust."

Why we love it: "There's enough power down low to blister the asphalt and send the traction control
into working overtime. Not to mention, the joy of pressing the loud pedal down to wake the engine up."

Article excerpt: "Dubbed the Brabus 700 Biturbo, this car has exactly what it says on the tin: 700hp from
a twin-turbocharged version of AMG's 6.2-liter powerhaus V8...The outputs are now 700hp at 6600rpm
and 627 lb-ft at 4300rpm compared to the standard 571hp at 6800rpm and 479 lb-ft at 4750rpm."

Why we love it: "On long unimpeded stretches of road, where you can sustain extended blasts of full
throttle acceleration, the difference over stock is astonishing."

Article excerpt: "Vaeth's top-of-the-line tuning program for the C63 is known as the V63RS. It's a 572hp
and 502 lb-ft rework of the C63's 6.2-liter, AMG-tuned V8...The core modifications include an ECU
reprogram, a high-flow air filter, a stainless-steel exhaust system and high-flow catalytic converters."

Why we love it: "It takes six weeks to build this particular spec of engine, and it's said only five of them
exist worldwide."

Article excerpt: "This is the Väth V58, a 565hp beast with 516 lb-ft of torque that can rip a hole in the
road and the murky world of preconception all at the same time...Väth has bored the unit out to 5.8-
liters, fitted forged pistons, exhaust manifolds, high-grade cats, polished cylinder heads, and a long-
stroke crankshaft."

Why we love it: "There's a certain perverse appeal to this machine. It might be an SLK, but call it a
hairdresser's car and prepare to get your head ripped off."

Article excerpt: "Under the hood, Hamann remapped the ECU to coax an extra 75hp to bring power up
to 700hp and bumped torque up from 575 lb-ft to 612 lb-ft...The soundtrack from the pipes dominates
the experience of being in the car, as they're so close to your ears."

Why we love it: "It sounds like a rabid dog straining at the end of its chain, eager to pounce. We
couldn't think of a better sound to hear bouncing off canyon walls."

Article excerpt: "The G63 AMG 6x6 is the SLS of off-road pursuits and practically crushes the
competition, not only with its price but also its luxury finishes...Mercedes has truly outdone itself with
this ultra-luxurious giant."

Why we love it: "As our wildcard pick, we could not resist adding in this almost 7.5ft high, 6.8ft wide and
19.2ft long luxury off-road Benz. The twin-turbo motor puts out 544hp and 560 lb-ft through an AMG
speedshift plus 7G-tronic automatic transmission."